Brooks inducted to life membership in American Bandmasters Association

CONTACT: Dr. Ricky Brooks, (501) 450-5764; rickyb@uca.edu

Brooks inducted to life membership in American Bandmasters Association

CONWAY — Dr. Ricky Brooks, director of bands at the University of Central Arkansas, was recently inducted to life membership of the American Bandmasters Association at its national convention.

The American Bandmasters Association, founded in 1929, with John Philip Sousa as Honorary Life President, recognizes the highest achievement on the part of concert band conductors and renowned composers. The review and rigorous examination of prospective members’ professional activities and band performances extends over a period of two or more years before a ballot vote is taken to extend or refuse membership to prospective candidates. The current membership comprises approximately 300 band conductors and composers in the United States and Canada.

Brooks joins three retired Arkansas collegiate band directors as the only Arkansans in the American Bandmasters Association. Brooks was named the 2008 Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year, and is past-president of the Arkansas Bandmasters Association and the Arkansas chapter of the College Band Directors National Association. Brooks has also served as music minister at Friendship Baptist Church in Conway since 1996.